Silhouette Special #984: The Avenger

You can not believe what a small child can do for a story. Roberto Arroya is still much troubled by his stay at Blackthorn and the death of his friend Tommy. He and Larkin attended Devon's wedding. He has a scruffy mutt named Buddy that he consults with over legal protocal and it turns out that the little stinker went visiting and came back with a little girl named Cathy. Erica Franklin is frantic that her daughter is missing and Caroline, about 6 years old, feels guilty at letting Cathy disappear. Needless to say after the police had been called and having dealt with the frantic mother they were fast to draw their guns on Roberto until he released the child he was carrying to the side walk. It did become a big chuckle after that. It seems that Buddy wanted to adopt the two girls and they were happy to play with him. Now Roberto was feeling the attraction to Erica that he had denied over the years to other women. We see now the gentle nurturing of these feelings between the two. With a small inclusion of Larkin and much later of Devon. The friends still get together when they can. Caroline is still missing her father and Roberto tries to make up for her disappointments. We have Erica's father, Kenneth Mallory, throwing a monkey wrench into the works when he is caught on video by Roberto's people, dealing with a known mobster. Roberto can't understand why a man like Mallory would jeapordize his career when he has enough money to go around. Mr. Mallory has pushed to have Erica come home because his wife is just getting over a stroke but has no interest in anything until Erica brings her children home. It is a great story with emotional and mental attitude ajustments made by both parties -- excellent characters - neat plot - some very humorous spots to enliven the story. You should really enjoy this book. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED --M